You came into my life some time ago, and it’s taken me awhile to realize it, but you saved me.
Because I didn’t have a dad. I didn’t have that man to look up to, I had a person who chose alcohol over my family again and again. I had someone I dreaded seeing and counted the hours until I could be away from him again.
I was so young, not even a teenager. I lived for gymnastics and cheerleading. I didn’t have much care for anything, that was one of those things I guarded my heart from feeling. I was too small to understand why somebody would leave another person's life. But now, I do.
I get it. Now that I look back, I realize why that man had to leave. And it wasn’t because of the bullshit he threw at us, not at all. It was because I was meant to have a dad who cared and loved me no matter what. And that dad turned out to be you.
You took the role of a good man not even a year after I met you. You protected me, you helped me, you did everything you possibly could to give me a good life. It wasn’t your job, you didn’t have to do anything for me. You weren’t required to take care of me nor did I anyone expect you to.
But you did, and you did it without hesitation or question.
So here I am at 1am with tears rolling down my face in shock of how long this took me to figure out.
I’m beyond blessed to have you in my life, so let me take a few minutes to give you the appreciation you deserve, the proper recognition you've earned.
Thank you for taking me on harley rides. Thank you for taking me to gymnastics. Thank you for buying me food, for making me breakfast every morning. Thank you for picking me up from school. Thank you for earning my love without aggressive rush.
Thank you for buying my first car, and surprising me with it. Thank you for teaching me how a man should treat a woman. Thank you for teaching me how to be smart and wise, for pointing out bad decisions and helping with solutions. Thank you for putting up with me, in all reality you really don’t have to, it’s not your responsibility. And let me tell you — I was not an easy teen to deal with. Yikes.
Thank you for treating my mom like the wonderful woman she is. Thank you for enhancing not only my life, but also the rest of my family’s. Thank you for being so hard on me, without that I couldn’t have become such a determined and hard working person. Thank you for keeping it real instead of always agreeing for arguments sake. Thank you for pushing me, accepting my flaws, and taking me in as if I was your own.
Thank you. I can’t explain how grateful I am for you.
Without you I would be a complete and utter mess of a person. I wouldn’t be half as smart, wise, or determined. Without your presence, in all reality, I would probably be a piece of shit.
Because you caught me in my lies and hidings. Though I didn’t like when you did, I am now extremely grateful for it.
You are by far the best man I have ever come across, and I’m so damn lucky to call you my step dad.
I love you more than you’ll ever know. And even though you’ll respond with “yup,” to such a heartfelt thing, I know you love me too.
